Job 38:27-37

27 Drenching the useless wastelands so they're carpeted with wildflowers and grass?
28 And who do you think is the father of rain and dew,
29 the mother of ice and frost?
30 You don't for a minute imagine these marvels of weather just happen, do you?
31 "Can you catch the eye of the beautiful Pleiades sisters, or distract Orion from his hunt?
32 Can you get Venus to look your way, or get the Great Bear and her cubs to come out and play?
33 Do you know the first thing about the sky's constellations and how they affect things on Earth?
34 "Can you get the attention of the clouds, and commission a shower of rain?
35 Can you take charge of the lightning bolts and have them report to you for orders? What Do You Have to Say for Yourself?
36 "Who do you think gave weather-wisdom to the ibis, and storm-savvy to the rooster?
37 Does anyone know enough to number all the clouds or tip over the rain barrels of heaven

Job 38:27-37 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 38

In this chapter the Lord takes up the controversy with Job; calls upon him to prepare to engage with him in it, and demands an answer to posing questions he puts to him, concerning the earth and the fabric of it, Job 38:1-7; concerning the sea, compared to an infant in embryo, at its birth, in its swaddling bands and cradle, Job 38:8-11; concerning the morning light, its spread and influence, Job 38:12-15; concerning the springs of the sea, the dark parts of the earth, the place both of light and darkness, Job 38:16-21; concerning the various meteors, snow, hail, rain, thunder, lightning, and the influences of the stars, Job 38:22-38; and concerning provision for lions and ravens, Job 38:40,41.

Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.